Sunday’s gospel passage brings us the last seven verses of Luke’s entire gospel. Jesus readies his disciples to take all they have witnessed to the nations. Luke sees Jesus as a prophet whose suffering, death, and resurrection fulfills Israel’s scriptures and identifies him as the messiah. From the opening verses of his gospel, Luke aims “to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word” (1.1-2).
In his inaugural sermon Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah and announces, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (4.21). Luke sees Jesus as the Spirit-filled prophet Isaiah describes, whom God will appoint to bring good news to the poor, free the oppressed, and proclaim a jubilee year for forgiving debts (4.16-19).
On the road to Emmaus the risen Jesus accompanies two of his disheartened followers. The disciples don’t recognize Jesus in the stranger who explains that Israel’s scriptures show the messiah has to suffer to enter his glory — not until he breaks bread with them (24.26). In the two verses preceding Sunday’s gospel, Jesus opens the minds of his disciples and reminds them “everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled” (24.44).
The simple words that begin Sunday’s gospel summarize Luke’s theology of fulfillment. “It is written that the messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.”
At first Jesus’ crucifixion discombobulates his followers. How can the true messiah be so powerless that he suffers death by crucifixion like a criminal? Then Jesus’ resurrection puts his death in a whole new light. As Jesus’ followers continue to read and pray the scriptures of Israel, they find words and images that anticipate a messiah who suffers. They find scriptures Jesus fulfills.
As a prophet bringing good news to the poor, release to captives, freedom for the oppressed, Jesus runs headlong into conflict with authorities, other Jewish teachers and priests, and ultimately the Roman Empire. Prophets make waves.
- What do you hand on to others about who Jesus is?
In its last seven verses, Luke ties up loose ends of his gospel narrative. Jesus commissions his disciples to preach the good news of his resurrection and repentance and forgiveness of sins in his name. Then he blesses them, withdraws, “and was carried into heaven.” However we visualize Jesus’ ascension, this moment begins his real absence and continuing real presence with his disciples in the Spirit.
In returning to God, the risen Jesus takes with him the human nature assumed in his incarnation. Jesus is about embodied divinity. Jesus remains God incarnate. One of us humans is with God. Jesus is the first born of a new humanity that shares life with God. Jesus goes ahead of us, drawing us toward the consummation of all in God.
This is the paschal or Passover mystery — Jesus’ passage from death to life, his coming down from heaven and returning to God’s right hand. The Second Vatican Council restored the paschal mystery to the center of the Church’s life. Before the Council Catholic spirituality tended to invite Jesus’ followers to imitate his suffering. After the Council the Church challenges us to live Easter and transform the world in Christ into a new creation. People sometimes refer to someone dying as passing, echoing this mystery. Celebrants wear white for funerals rather than black as they once did.
- How do you live the Easter dimension of Christian faith?
- How do you describe your loved ones’ communion with God after death?
Why do Jesus’ disciples react with such joy at his withdrawing? From their acts of homage and worship, we infer the disciples’ faith that Jesus is messiah and Lord — God’s Son. In withdrawing from them, he is entering his glory. They bless God for all that has happened. They express their joy and thanksgiving as Jews by praying in the temple.
Jesus’ disciples have a second reason for joy — his message of forgiveness. In Luke’s gospel they now see Jesus’ suffering and death as necessary. He forgives them their blindness. They have passed from confusion to Easter faith.
Thirdly, Jesus’ disciples await what the Father promised — a clothing in power from on high. Luke’s story is only half over. The Acts of the Apostles is the sequel to his gospel. The ascension is the hinge event between Jesus’ resurrection and his sending of the Spirit. Luke ends his gospel with Jesus’ departure and begins the Acts of the Apostles with the same moment.
In the ascension Jesus passes over into communion with God, bridging the human and divine. He blesses this company of followers about to become a Spirit-filled community.
- Who do you see among the joyful disciples blessing God in the temple and awaiting the Holy Spirit? Read Acts 1.12-14.